Chapter 136
The council chamber was already full when Seren arrived.
She had not intended to come. The morning after her wedding, she had planned to sleep late, eat breakfast in bed, and ignore the world for at least a few hours. But the messenger had arrived at dawn with urgent news: Lady Sera’s Eastern Pack was demanding renegotiation of trade terms, threatening to seek alliance with southern packs if refused.
So, Seren had pulled on her wedding dress—the silver gown still smelling of wine and flowers—and walked to the council chamber without bothering to change to something else.
She entered through the main doors, her hair still loose, three rings glittered on her finger. Behind her, Kael and Theron flanked her like shadows. Aeron was already inside, seated at the head of the table, his expression grim.
The chamber went silent.
Every noble turned to stare. Lady Ashworth’s mouth opened and closed. Lord Pemberton dropped his quill. Lady Sera, standing at the petitioners’ table, actually took a step backward.
Seren walked to her seat and sat down.
“Good morning,” she said. “I understand there’s a crisis p>
Lady Sera recovered first.
“Your Majesty,” she said, her voice carefully neutral. “I was not expecting you to attend. Given the… occasion p>
“The occasion was last night. This morning, I am still queen.” Seren folded her hands on the table. “You’re threatening to take your pack’s trade to the southern provinces unless the crown renegotiates terms. Explain p>
Sera’s jaw tightened. She had come prepared to argue with Aeron, to bargain with Kael, to charm Theron. She had not come prepared to face a queen in her wedding dress, still flushed from her wedding night, looking at her with eyes that had seen war and would not be intimidated.
“The current trade agreement favours the crown,” Sera said. “My pack provides timber, ore, and wool. In return, we receive grain, medicine, and manufactured goods. The balance is uneven p>
“Uneven how p>
“We give more than we receive. My people are tired of it p>
Murmurs rippled through the chamber.
Aeron spoke. “The agreement was negotiated by your predecessor. You signed it yourself, Lady Sera p>
“That was before the war. Before the charter. Before everything changed.” Sera’s voice hardened. “The eastern pack bled for this kingdom. We fought beside you at the border. We lost wolves. We lost territory. We lost trade routes to the north that have not been restored p>
“Those trade routes were destroyed by Magnus,” Kael said. “We’re rebuilding them p>
“Not fast enough p>
Theron leaned forward. “And the southern packs? You’re threatening to ally with them p>
“I’m threatening to seek better terms wherever I can find them.” Sera met his eyes. “If the crown cannot provide what my pack needs, I will find someone who can p>
The chamber erupted.
Nobles shouted over each other. Lord Pemberton demanded Sera be arrested for treason. Lady Ashworth called for negotiation. A dozen voices argued at once.
Seren sat still.
She let them shout. Let them argue. Let them exhaust themselves. And when the noise finally faded, she spoke.
“Lady Sera p>
The chamber went quiet again.
“You stood with us at the border. You bled beside us. You refused Vesper’s offer to join his protest. You sent your daughter to my school.” Seren’s voice was calm, steady. “You are not our enemy. And we are not yours p>
Sera’s expression flickered.
“So, let’s stop threatening each other and start negotiating.” Seren spread her hands. “What do you actually want? Not what you’re demanding to make a point. What do you need p>
Sera was silent for a long moment.
“Security,” she said finally. “The northern trade routes are still dangerous. Bandits. Remnants of Thorne’s faction. My caravans are being raided, and the crown’s patrols are stretched thin p>
“Then we’ll increase patrols p>
“With what soldiers? Your army is depleted p>
“We’ll train new soldiers.” Seren looked at Kael. “The integrated units. They’re ready for field assignments p>
Kael nodded slowly. “They are p>
Sera’s eyes narrowed. “You would send humans to protect my trade routes p>
“I would send *soldiers* to protect my kingdom’s trade routes. Species doesn’t matter. Competence does p>
They negotiated for some time.
By the end, Sera had secured additional patrols, faster reconstruction of the northern roads, and a small adjustment to the trade balance. In return, she had withdrawn her threat, pledged additional eastern wolves to the border defence, and agreed to send more students to Seren’s school.
When the documents were signed, Sera approached Seren.
“You’re wearing your wedding dress,” she said.
“I didn’t have time to change p>
“You wanted to make a point p>
Seren smiled. “I wanted to remind everyone that I am not just a queen. I am a woman who married three wolves. I am human and wolf. I am tradition and change. And I am not going anywhere p>
Sera studied her.
“You’re more dangerous than I thought p>
“I’m more dangerous than *you* thought. There’s a difference p>
Sara laughed—a short, surprised sound. Then she bowed and walked out.
The chamber emptied.
Seren sat alone at the table, her wedding dress pooling around her. The locket was warm. The rings were heavy.
Aeron knelt beside her chair. “You were magnificent p>
“I was tired p>
“You were magnificent.” He took her hand. “You faced down a potential rebellion in your wedding dress. No one else could have done that p>
Kael appeared on her other side. “The nobles couldn’t stop staring at you. I thought Lady Ashworth was going to faint p>
“She looked like she’d swallowed a bug p>
“A very large bug p>
Theron leaned against the table. “Sera wasn’t expecting you. None of them were. That’s why you won p>
Seren looked at her three mates. “I won because we’re strong. Because we’re united. Because the kingdom believes in us p>
“Because you’re terrifying in silver,” Kael said.
“That too p>
She stood. The dress rustled around her.
“Now. Breakfast. And then I’m sleeping for the rest of the day p>
“Council meeting at noon,” Aeron said.
“Cancel it p>
“I can’t cancel p>
“You’re the king. Cancel it p>
Aeron looked at her. Then he smiled.
“Cancelled p>
They walked out of the chamber together, the bond humming with warmth.
Outside, the sun was rising over the palace.
The crisis was averted. The morning was saved.